SHERRY/MADEIRA

Sherry is a fortified wine made from white grapes that are grown near the town of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Spain. Sherry is produced in a variety of styles made primarily from the Palomino grape, ranging from light versions similar to white table wines, such as Manzanilla and Fino, to darker and heavier versions that have been allowed to oxidize as they age in barrel, such as Amontillado and Oloroso. Sweet dessert wines are also made from Pedro Ximenez or Moscatel grapes, and are sometimes blended with Palomino-based Sherries. Madeira is a fortified Portuguese wine made in the Madeira Islands.

Madeira is produced in a variety of styles ranging from dry wines which can be consumed on their own as an aperitif, to sweet wines more usually consumed with dessert. The islands of Madeira have a long winemaking history, dating back to the Age of Exploration when Madeira was a standard port of call for ships heading to the New World or East Indies. To prevent the wine from spoiling, neutral grape spirits were added. On the long sea voyages, the wines would be exposed to excessive heat and movement which transformed the flavor of the wine. This was discovered by the wine producers of Madeira when an unsold shipment of wine returned to the islands after a round trip. Today, Madeira is noted for its unique winemaking process which involves heating the wine up to temperatures as high as 60 °C (140 °F) for an extended period of time and deliberately exposing the wine to some levels of oxidation. Because of this unique process, Madeira is a very robust wine that can be quite long lived even after being opened.

Classic quality Sanlúcar nose with lots of saline maritime yeastiness and all the dry grassy herbal strawy, overripe apple notes one would expect, but this is serious with lots of acelaldehyde, gently oxidative and with slight almond notes. It smells very yeasty yet not particularly bitter as some of that is from the bottom of the butt and much more complex, and it would really like to become a natural Amontillado, only they keep refreshing it, almost monthly.Full and intense, dry and tangy, saline with a faintly rancio mineral note. It is virtually a Manzanilla Pasada with all the wonderful nuances that entails. Acidity is fairly low yet it is enough, along with a hint of bitterness, to balance beautifully with a trace of glycerine and that cabezuela character. It even has a modest texture giving it feel which adds a dimension to its great length. Superb.

WINE SPECTATOR 92 POINTS - "
Very sweet, along with a burnt quality to the molasses, caramel and walnut flavors, this is balanced and powerful, ending with a long aftertaste of burnt caramel. Fine harmony and intensity. Drink now."

"Served slightly chilled, this is the perfect example of how this style of Madeira fits into place at even the most modern of dinner parties. Its innate nuttiness, combined with a lovely dried citrus fruit edge, makes it the perfect foil to a plate of salted almonds, freshly cut spicy chorizo or picquillo peppers. It leaves the palate feeling crisp, clean and very refreshed". S JONES WINE MAGAZINE

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"The non-vintage Rainwater Medium Dry has an uncomplicated marmalade and wax resin nose. The palate is light and smooth, with the toffee component rounding out the finish. It is not as complex as Barbeito’s Rainwater, but should offer pleasure if slightly chilled and served as an aperitif."

WINE ADVOCATE 91 POINTS-"The NV Fino en Rama Cruz Vieja is an unfiltered and un-fined Fino aged for an average of five to seven years under 'flor'. It has a textbook Fino nose of albariza soil, esparto grass, green olives and iodine, balanced and pungent. It has a medium-bodied palate with some volume and sweet green olive flavors. Only 1.260 bottles produced, which are for now sold in Spain and Japan."-12/14.

WINERY NOTES-"Aspect: Mahogany and coppery hints. Nose: Notes of acetaldehydes, piquant, with marine
aromas, reminiscent of fish markets, salted and smoked meat and fish, nuts and bitter almonds.
Palate: Extremely dry and salty, it is a long, complex wine, notably dry and persistent, which
makes it a good accompaniment to a wide variety of food. Gastronomy: For all its gustative
characteristics, Amontillado is a wine which requires dishes of strong contrasts, such as pickles
(gherkins, olives, aubergines in vinegar), salted fish (such as anchovies or cod), smoked fish
(sturgeon, eel and tuna fish), caviar, herring and, of course, vinegar dominant dishes, such as
pickled food and spicy dishes including those of oriental cuisine. Serving Temperature: We
recommend it be served lightly chilled. Storage: If the bottle is unopened, this wine
will remain in perfect condition and even improve with time. Once the bottle has been opened,
the wine will remain in perfect condition for up to 12 months.

Bodegas Tradición is the leading boutique bodega in Jerez and specializes exclusively in top quality, traditional aged Sherry. This winery was founded in the last decade of the last century to give continuity to the oldest family tradition in winemaking in Jerez.
Its roots look back to 1650 where the original winery was founded and where the origins of the wines bottled today as Bodegas Tradición had a worldwide recognized brand name: J.M Rivero-CZ.
Bodegas Tradición focuses on the purest styles of Sherry, non-blended, non chilled filtered, non stabilized, with no additives where portions of history can be enjoyed in a wine glass. Wines ranging from 25 to 45 years of average age, carefully selected and hand bottled in numbered bottles all qualifies by the regulating authority after severe age and quality analysis which guarantee their standards.

Aromas of old wood and candied, roasted nuts lead to a very bright, energetic palate. Flavors of candied orange, toffee and buttered pecans are perfectly balanced by lively acidity. Though this is fortified wine and we have it listed as a "dessert wine," it really would be best served as either an aperitif, served slightly chilled, or paired with the right dish -- seared scallops work quite well, as would any richer, cream and/or cheese-based dish.

WINE ENTHUSIAST 90 POINTS- The Madeira regulations say that 10-years old is the age of the youngest part of the blend. So this richly sweet Malmsey contains many older wines. These are shown in the old gold color, the proper citrus acidity and the dryness that goes with wood aging. At the end, though, the liquid honey flavors are dominant. Aged in oak casks for at least 10 years. A superb, full-bodied, wonderfully rich Madeira with a sweet, rich chocolaty flavor and a concentrated bouquet. Best enjoyed with desserts, or on its own after a meal. But when accompanied by cookies, fruit pies, even dark chocolate desserts it pairs wonderfully! Sweetest Madeiea (8%/10% Rs)

WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "
The non-vintage Rainwater Medium Dry is aged for three years in oak casks and this was bottled in January 2011. It has a light, toffee-scented bouquet with hints of creme brulee. There are subtle notes of marzipan, raisin and fresh fig that are well-defined and become voluminous with aeration. The palate is sweet and spicy on the entry. It is understated at first with smoked walnut, nougat, cumin and Chinese 5-spice and it builds gently towards a harmonious, beautifully balanced finish with traces of red chillies, dried honey and walnuts. This is a wonderful Rainwater. "

WINE SPECTATOR 90 POINTS-Viscous and on the sweet side, but still fresh and lively, with orange peel, glazed apricot and maple flavors. Very lively finish of bourbon and spice.
Driest Madeira (1%-3% Residual Sugar)

WINE ENTHUSIAST 90 POINTS-Luscious, medium-rich Madeira with great concentration of flavor and a complex bouquet. Best served with drier salty cheeses such as Aged Gouda or creamy desserts.Bual grape (medium-sweet) 5% to 6% rs. Excellent with cheeses & light desserts.

Mahog any color, concentrated aromas of smoky, dried fruits, smooth and luscious, rich and complex and very long on the palate.
This wine is a perfect companion to light desserts and cakes, but can also be served with cheeses, or simply as a sweet digest if.
18º
Palomino grape
and Pedro
Ximénez
Roasted and mild flavor.

WINE SPECTATOR 90 POINTS -
"A hint of sweetness softens this full-bodied Amontillado. It evolves from caramel and toffee flavors to roasted almond and coffee as the sweetness gives way to a firm, dry finish."

WINE ENTHUSIAST 90 POINTS
"With a nose of toffee, dried apricot, cocoa powder and rancio, this is classic off-dry amontillado. It feels fresh and active, then tastes rich and moderately sweet, with flavors of hazelnut, caramel, toasted banana, orange and spice. Nutty and smooth on the finish."

WINEMAKER'S NOTES: - "If at first the wine seems sweet and scattered, just give it time. Soon the nose will knit together to show mocha and that lightly oxidized elegance that is Oloroso. After that there's a palate of coffee, caramel and brown sugar, and a tight, grabby palate that's like your tongue is attached to a magnet. Give this one plenty of air for best results."